Committee
Mr Donovan is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, most recently Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Amman. He has previously served overseas in Washington DC as Political Counsellor on Middle East issues.
Mr Donovan has extensive experience relating to the Middle East and protocol. He has also worked in the Office of the Prime Minister, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the then Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, and the Agriculture portfolio.
Mr Donovan holds a Master of Arts (Semitic Studies) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney, and a Diploma of Agriculture from the University of New England.
Mr Donovan is the Australian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Yemen.
HE Mark Donovan -
Patron
Mr Salman has been a key figure in the Omani Securities Market since the inception of the MSM in 1989 and is on the board of directors of several public companies. He has over 29 years experience in finance-related activities, of which 9 years have been in Government services, holding key positions responsible for financial activities apart from playing an active role over the past 22 years in the Oman equity markets.
He holds an Advanced Diploma in Accounting, and is a holder of the International Capital Markets Qualification from the Securities Institute of London. He is also a registered broker with an advisory license from MSM. Besides serving as the CEO for United Securities, he is currently the Director of Muscat Depository & Securities Registration Co. SAOC, Director of Oman United Insurance Company and Committee Member of Oman Kuwait Investment Company. Mr Salman is the Australian Honorary Consul in Oman.
Mustafa Salman -
Patron’s representative
Since January 2007 Mac has been working in the Sultanate of Oman as an investor, operator, and asset manager in the tourism and hospitality industry. He also works closely with Australian agricultural businesses to develop niche product markets in MENA.
In all aspects of his professional life Mac is known for his direct leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, enthusiasm and energy – positive characteristics for any industry. As an effective communicator, his approach helps form efficient teams that work together harmoniously.
His management approach creates a constructive workplace that encourages growth and a common sense of purpose. Having lived and worked in many countries, Mac is aware of the competitive advantages of life and work in his regional base of Oman, as well as the strengths and potential of Australian businesses in the region. He is keen to see a greater working and cultural synergy between the GCC region and Australia.
Mac Thomson -
Chair
With an MBA from Strathclyde University, UK, and a degree in Chemical Engineering from Monash University, Australia, Mohammed brings over a decade of diverse experience in various fields, making him a well-rounded professional with a passion for excellence.
Throughout his career, he has honed his skills in Operations, Project Management, Business Development, Contract Relations, QHSE, Sales & Marketing. Moreover, his commitment to environmental and social responsibility has led him to actively participate in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives. He is passionate about leveraging his diverse expertise to drive positive change and contribute to the success of organizations and initiatives that prioritize innovation, sustainability, and excellence, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, hydrogen, resource management, and engineering project management. It would be a privilege to connect and collaborate on projects that align with these values and goals.
Mohammed Al Bahri -
Treasurer
Mr Hamed is a management professional with 20 years of experience. He was the Consul General at Consul of Sultanate of Oman in Melbourne, Australia where he established of the first Consular Mission in Melbourne, Australia in 2006.
Prior to that he had an extensive career with Ministry of Higher Education at various senior positions. Currently Hamed is Assistant Vice Chancellor (Admin and Finance) of Sharqiyah University. He holds an MBA from the Hull University, United Kingdom.
Hamed bin Mohammad Al-Hajri -
Vice Chair
Hanifa is the Head of Environment Social and Governance (ESG) at Sohar International, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board Executive, Nomination and Remuneration Committee.
As the focal point for all of Sohar International’s ESG activities, Hanifa is responsible for developing and executing the Bank’s ESG Framework. This includes ensuring effective ESG risk management, opportunity development and supporting Sohar International’s stakeholders through sustainable financing solutions.
Hanifa brings over 25 years of experience managing ESG topics and draws on such ESG experience from South East Asia, Europe, South America, North America, Australia and the MEA (Middle East and Africa) regions. She is a regularly speaker on many ESG matters, and has published / co-authored various papers on the same.
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Hanifa Ymer -
Committee Member
Amanda is a marketing and tourism professional who has a true passion for both Australia and the Middle East with all of the unique assets each region has to offer. With previous experience launching the World’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa in the UAE, to Aviation and Destination marketing in Qatar and Australia, Amanda now brings over a decade of regional business development experience to Oman.
Her goal is to contribute to destination growth stories, and be an integral part of dynamic tourism and travel development via marketing and stakeholder relations across both regional and international channels. Holding an MBA, Marketing, Amanda is currently the Tourism Lead for Oman Aviation Group.
Amanda Barnett -
Committee Member
Introducing Vivian Wood, a catalyst for change supporting clean tech, entrepreneurship and sustainability. Vivian is a creative strategist who wears many hats in the pursuit of a greener and more equitable future. With a solid foundation of over 15 years championing clean tech, nurturing start ups and invigorating FMCG ventures, Vivian is fuelled by her Australian/Omani roots, and experience spans Australia, the UK, South Africa and Oman. Her unwavering dedication to fostering international relations, igniting trade and advocating for environmental consciousness is contagious. Vivian holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Communications with Honours from RMIT University in Melbourne, combined with hands on experience this has empowered her to lead with insight and innovation. At the helm of 'Call to Action' Vivian bridges the gap between ideas and impactful change with creative marketing. Her role as Executive Producer at 'Birba' Oman advocates for sustainability and decarbonisation, connecting and nurturing Australian-Omani relations as she strives to create bridges that facilitate not only trade but also lasting friendships.
Vivian Wood -
Committee Member
Mubaraka has been living in Oman since January 2019. Being born and brought up in Melbourne, she completed her Bachelor of Arts with majors in Arabic and Psychology and a Diploma of Languages in Japanese from the University of Melbourne. She then went on to complete her Master of International Relations (also from the University of Melbourne) with a particular interest in the Middle East region.
She currently owns and runs her own business to connect Australian and Omani companies for commercial opportunities in a variety of sectors including renewables, IT, agriculture and a special focus on education and training. Her mission lies in enhancing and strengthening international relations through trade, diplomacy and humanitarian avenues. She speaks seven languages, and by joining ABGO and working in the Middle East region; her focus is to develop culturally sensitive solutions to transcend physical borders and create lasting cross-border relationships. In particular, she would like to increase Australia’s presence in the region through soft diplomacy in the education, trade and business sectors.
Mubaraka Tyebbhoy -
Committee Member and Honorary Secretary
An entrepreneur and seasoned business developer, Cyrus Rahimtoola is the founder and CEO of Eastern Mining Corporation LLC (EMCOR), a top-tier integrated mining service company operating in the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa.
With a diversified track-record, Cyrus has over 15 years of experience in international business development across the UK, Europe and the Middle East covering multiple sectors including; Oil & Gas, Technology, Transport, Energy & Renewables, Logistics and Mineral Resources. He oversees EMCOR’s executive and corporate business development & strategy, project development, investment management and the company’s day to day operations.
Prior to founding EMCOR, Cyrus was the Head of Business Development for the OHI Group, one of the Sultanate of Oman’s largest diversified business groups. His portfolio covered new Business, Project Development, International Partnerships and Project Investment Management, with a focus on Oil & Gas, Energy, Utilities, Logistics and Disruptive Technology (Energy).
Cyrus is also the Managing Director of a family-owned business development and investment firm, Black Stripe Co., which focuses on strategic project development and investment advisory opportunities in the energy sector..
Cyrus Rahimtoola -
Committee Member
Lyn is originally from Sydney , Australia but after a year of travelling abroad made her home in Melbourne's east in amongst kookaburras, wallabies and gum trees. She has a background in Finance and HR, across Import, Export, Wholesale and Distribution industries where she specialised in system development, process improvement, data analysis and later as Head of Remuneration and Benefits.
She came to Oman in 2018 on a short holiday, again in 2019 and finally in 2020 intending to use it as a base for travelling the region in her 'year abroad' before returning to Australia. She decided instead to stay in Oman and change her mindset from corporate to creative where she dabbles in art and photography, and now has her own small business developing and manufacturing natural products based around Frankincense.
Lyn Krivohlavy-
Committee Member
Khalid is a hands-on, solution focused professional with experience in vocational training and related local and international accreditation bodies. With international and local experiences, Khalid has been passionate for Standards and Quality Assurance vocational training in Oman and have been focusing on Validating and maintaining polices, implementing the OPAL standards, DCRP, OETC, AHA, IOSH, NEBOSH, Highfield approvals for the training institutes.
Khalid has bachelor of engineering and master of commerce from university of New South Wales, Australia. Through being able to see the wider picture, have earned a reputation as someone who is forward thinking, hardworking and professional, delivering measurable, successful results while driving continuous improvement..
Khalid Al Sulti -
Committee Member
Jamal is an experienced Managing Director with a demonstrated history of working in the architecture & planning industry. He is skilled in Sustainable Architecture, Urban Planning, Design Management, Mixed-use, and Comprehensive Planning.
He is a strong business development professional with a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) focused in Architecture from The University of Queensland.
Jamal Al Zeedi -
Committee Member